Follow up visits for violation compliance begin in January
2012 fine structure set
In our quest to secure our mission of protecting the public and assuring the laws of the state, The Board began in January of 2012 a renewed approach to violation policy, to conduct follow up inspections in salons and schools where non-licensing violations have occurred.
Board Inspectors inspect each salon over the course of a year, and schools twice a year. Our purpose in doing this is of course to enforce Ohio’s law and assure compliance to properly protect the public and maintain levels of safety, as is our charge.
Starting this month, any salon that has been issued a violation of law, will be issued a formal Notice of Violation through the mail within a few days of your salon visit by The Board Office. Each salon must post Inspection Reports in a conspicuous place so that the public may view the Inspection Report. Salons where a violation has occurred of sanitation and safety, will receive a follow up visit within thirty (30) days of the violation to make sure that corrective action has taken place. If the violation persists, the violator will be issued a second violation for the offense. All Notices of Violation must be answered in thirty (30) days as well, formally, and in writing, as instructed on the form.
Any violation would produce the state minimum fine of $500.00, and that each additional violation would be no more than $100.00 at the same Inspection. If the same or other violations are found in a follow up inspection, the fines would double. We are offering this not because State Board wants or needs the money, but to incentivize and encourage adherence to the law at all times. We want fines to be a detriment to violations, and a follow up inspection to assure that lessons have been learned.
Individuals and Salons issued violations concerning licensure must work with the Administrative Action Group at The Board Offices to clear up these matters within thirty (30) days, but will not receive a follow up inspection. On your Administrative Action, one of three contact people are listed. Please phone or email that person with any follow up that is needed. The Administrative Action Team consists of Sonja Roe, Lori Flanery, and Kevin Hermensky.
We here at State Board are serious about compliance with the basic laws of the state. Cosmetology law goes back to 1934, when The General Assembly established a State Board to set up basic standards of compliance for our industry. Most salons have no violations, or very minor violations, and we want to send the message that the public is demanding more from our license holders, and are asking to hold all licensees to the same, basic standards, that our Legislators expect when they pass laws to protect the public safety and assure a basic level of core competence in our profession.
The Follow Up inspections are a tool to remind licensees who have committed violations, to correct the violation or violations, and that State Board will assure compliance to the law. The laws are on the books to protect the public and our industry, and maintain minimum standards of health, safety, and competence. We want to be a business friendly state that also adheres to the laws to offer an appropriate and reasonable level of regulation. Remember, if you don’t commit a violation, there are no follow up visits and no fines, so it is important to read up on the law on our website, and comply with it. It works for all of us, and your customers, the people of Ohio, and that is who we work for.
